Leander Jameson was born in 1853 into a well-respected Scottish family, which included barristers, doctors, professors and high-ranking army officers.
He was educated at University College Hospital, London, and distinguished himself as a medical student, showing promise of a successful professional career in London. However, Jameson's health broke down, and he decided to go to the dry climate of Kimberley, which also appeared to be an exciting place to be due to the diamond rush.
After the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, Cecil Rhodes, then governor of the Cape Colony, wanted to incorporate the Transvaal and Orange Free State in a federation under British rule. President Paul
